Pen-rack



(No Model.) 1

' W. S. MENDENHALL.

' PEN RACK. No. 517,757.

Patented Apr.- 3, 1894.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER S. MENDENHALL, OF OOVINGTON, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR TO THE SAMUEL O. TATUM COMPANY, OF "CINCINNATI, OHIO.

PEN-=RACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 517,757, dated April 3, 1894.. Application filed December 14, 1892. Serial No.455,l57. (NomodeL) tnres of which are fully set forth inthe description of the accompanying drawings making a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view. Fig. 3 is a section on line :0, m, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a reverse sectional elevation of Fig. 1, showing the parts in position'for taking apart and putting together. Fig. 5 isa modification of the pen clamp.

1 represents a rectilinear frame castintegral, and adapted to rest upon a table', or to be secured to any vertical support, such as a window frame or the back of a desk. It is provided with a rectilinear oblong opening between the end posts 7. (I

2 represents slots at the foot of each of the end posts 7 opening downwardly.

4 represents a coiled wire the free ends of which-are preferably provided Withan eye to pass loosely around the rod 3; this rod is flexible for the reasons hereinafter explained; it is held in position upwardly in the slots 2 by the coiled spring 4. t l

The parts are put together as follows: The spring is coiled and compressed, as shown in Fig. 4., and heldagainst one of the posts 7; the rod 3 is then passed through the coils or convolutions of the spring and seated at ohe end in the slot 2 of the end post 7, as shown in Fig. 4:. When the spring is released the coils spread apart into the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and, being seated on the edges of the frame or casting (see Figs. 3 and 5). operate to lift up the rod B,"and seat the same in the slots 2. It is desired to have the coils, or any desired number of them, slipped laterally on the rod 3 so that it may accommodate any number ofpensin the adjoining coils without unduly straining the spring; the spring holds the rod 3 in place by its upward strain, resting upon the sides of the frame for vertical support. The rod 3 being elastic allows the spring to slip on the rod, yielding to the strain upwardly without unduly drawing the spring down upon the frame; this elasticity also allows the rod 3 to be bent downward in inserting or removing it, as illustrated in Fig. 4. Thus the spring is allowed to be readily inserted and taken out, the spring holding the rod 3 upward in position, and yet because ofthe flexibility of both of the parts allowed to move freely laterally along the supporting base and over the rod.

6 represents a recess formed in the upright posts; the object of which is to extricate a pen from the holder; the pen is inserted in this recess and then moved laterally until the opposite corners of the recess bind against the pen forming a clutch to hold the pen and allow strain to be exercised on the holder to extract the pen therefrom.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- A pen rack consisting of a rectilinear open frame 1 formed in one piece and providedat its opposite ends with downwardly opening slots 2, the outer side of each slot being inclosed a coiled spring 4 resting upon said frame, and a rod 3 passing through the convolutions of said spring and seated in said slots and held therein by the tension of the spring, said rod being elastic whereby the spring and rod may be readily taken outand put in place, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

WALTER S. MENDENHALL. 

